Paper: Commons Approach To European Knowledge Policy Could Yield Better Outcomes

A new paper released earlier this month finds that the commons perspective, which embraces knowledge as a shared resource and its management a joint responsibility, could contribute to EU policy discussions and yield better policy outcomes in areas such as health, environment, science and culture, and the internet.

The paper, “The EU and the Commons: A Commons Approach to European Knowledge Policy”, can be found here [pdf].

The paper was authored by the coordinators of The Commons Network, Sophie Bloemen, a civil society activist and policy advisor, and David Hammerstein, former member of the European Parliament. They explain that the commons approach requires policymakers to look beyond the narrow focus of intellectual property or economic value. Instead, a more comprehensive understanding of value and policies that serve the common good is required.

The paper notes that the commons approach enables policymakers to assess the collective interests of citizens as a whole rather than focusing on purely individual rights and a market-oriented worldview. The latter is seen as the very perspective that many consider to be at the root of current economic and environmental crises.

This commons approach, the authors say, embraces new opportunities for civic participation, nonmarket self-provisioning and reduced inequality as well as greater de-centralized innovation. Therefore, it points to the reality of people’s lives as deeply embedded in communities, social relationships and their natural environment.

The authors conclude that as an institution, the EU remains largely stuck in the twentieth century narrative that implies that GDP growth and innovation require strengthening exclusive property rights in knowledge. The Union does not have a comprehensive vision or potent funding process for actually generating new types of knowledge as public goods, they found.

The paper concludes by providing several recommendations on what knowledge commons at the EU level might include, such as non-exclusive licensing, multilateral treaties or conventions that promote common goods, and policies that recognise the internet as infrastructure and public space.

Ani Mamikon is an intern at Intellectual Property Watch. She recently completed her Juris Doctor at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law. She holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science and International Security Studies. She has a strong interest various IP issues relating to privacy, human rights and information technology. Recently, she has also developed a keen interest in patent law.

Rishi Dhir is an intern at Intellectual Property Watch. He holds a Juris Doctor with honours from the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law. He also holds dual Bachelor Honour Degrees in Mathematics and Business Administration from the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. Rishi has an interest in a variety of IP issues including copyright law, piracy and Internet governance.